Railway switch



Patented Apr- 1929; 'i

UNITED STATES 1,710,336 PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR ANDERSEN, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PETTIBONE MULLIKEN COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

Application filed April 21, 1928. Serial No. 271,884.

'My' invention relates to railway switches of the so-called spring-return type in which the switch points set in a given position relative to the main rails of the track are adapted to yield laterally against the action of the spring means in the passage of a train through the switch. One of my objects is to provide a construction of spring-return switch whereby the extent to which the spring means thereof are distorted in the movement of the switch points against the resistance of the spring is such as to avoid production of a permanent set therein in distorted condition in the continued use of the device and to avoid such set by a simple, economical and compact construction. I

Another object is to provide within the space usually available between the main rails of the track, or, if desired, between the main track and the switch stand, the spring n'ieans of the switch, the spring of which will be sufliciently strong to return the switch points to their original set position, with the required safety margin, and at the same time avoiding such deflection of the spring as will produce a permanent set.

Another nbject is to provide a construction of spring switch permitting of the use of a shorter c linder for housing the spring means than'm the case of structures as hitherto provided.

Another object is to provide a novel, durable and compact construction of switch structure of the spring return type and rovided with retarding means forretarcing the movement of the spring pressed switch points to the normal set position of the switch following the lateral shifting of the switch points out of such position by a train passing through the switch thereby avoiding slapping action of the point rails and undue wear of the track structure, to the end that the number of parts and connections required shall be reduced to the minium and the usual complications in connection with the assembling of the parts of the switch sructurc and maintenance thereof minimized.

Another object is to provide a construction of switch of the spring return, retarding. type, whereby the switch-points may be readily and quickly thrown by the' operator back and forth relative to the main .line rails, without resistance from the retarding means and without requiring the manipulation of any parts of the structure for rendering the retarding means inactive, thus permitting a flying switch to be made.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch structure of the spring return, I

retarding, type which will be double acting thereby permittin the trailing of" trains through the switch from the main line as well as from the turnout and preventin the I possible hazard of derailment or brea age of the several parts of the switch structure in the event that the switch throwing mechanism is not operated to move the switchpoints to the proper position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch structure of the type referred to of such construction that instead of requiring the extra long and expensive ties which are required to be used, with switch .structures of this ty e as commonly prothe fluid charged into the cylinder device to avoid damage to the parts of the structure. Another object is to provide novel, simple, and inexpensive constructions of abutment means on the rod which operates within the cylinder; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description. Referring to the accompanying drawingsz-e Figure 1 is a plan view of the switchequipped portion of a railway track and 'in which my invention is incorporated.

Figure 2 is an elevational-sectional View of that portion of the switch, structure which comprises the spring portion thereof and retarding meansfor the switch, the section being taken at the line 2 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the line 3 on Fig. 2'and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure '1 is a view in longitudinal section oft a detail of the mechanism showing the construction of one of the abutment devices for cooperation with one of the pistons.

- abutment device; and

in conjunction with one of the similar Figure/7, a similar enlarged view of another form of abutment device forming a part of the structure of Fig. 2 and operating sprin pressed piston valves.

illii Re erring to the particular equipped track layout illustrated in Fig. 1

andembodying my invention, 8 indicates one of the rails of the main track, the other portion thereof comprising the rail 9 and a point rail 10 of a switch device, the rail 9' continuing from the point rail 10 in deflected condition, as represented at 11, to form one of the rails of a switch track.

A point rail switch comprises the point rail 10 and the point rail 12 adjacent the main rail 8, these point rails being coni nected together by tie rods 13 and 1 1 one of d9 4 pivotally connected, as represented at 21, to-

which extends adjacent the extremities 0 the points. p

In this particular arrangement the spring return means and the retarding means are shown as located between the main rail 9 and the switch throw mechanism represented generally at 15. The latter may be of any desirable construction, that shown being of the type comprising a vertically extending rock shaft 16 provided with a crank 17 pivotally connected at 18 with one end of a rod 19 which is slidable in one end of a cylinder 20, the opposite end of which is a link 22 rigid with the connecting bar 14. The spring means of this construction and which operates to yieldingly hold the switch points in either of; their two set positions comprises a coil spring 23 located within the cylinder 20 and encircling the rod 19, this" spring abutting at its op osite ends against the surfaces 24 and 250 pistons 26 and 27, respectively, surrounding and slidable on the rod 19. The pistons 26 and 27 are provided with extensions 28 and 29, respectively, which extend inwardly from opposite ends of the cylinder toward the central transverse axis of the latter, as shown, these extensions being located within the ends of the coil spring and containing outwardly opening recesses 30 and 31, respectively, the terminal ends of these extensions containing openings 32 and 33 extending longitudinally theretiirough which are of reduced diameter as compared with the diameter of the recesses 30 and 31 whereby shoulders 34 and 35 are presented at the bases of-these recesses, respectively. The rod 19 is proswitchvided with abutments 36 and 37 which are located in the recesses 30 and 31, and respectively oppose, and cooperate with, the shoulder portions 34 and 35 of the pistons.

Referring now to the functioning of the spring means described, the mechanism is s own in the condition assumed by it when assembled with the point rails and the switch throwing mechanism positioned as shown in Fig. 1. In this position the point 7:,

rail 10 is yieldingly pressed against the side of the rail 11 under the action of the spring means which, by reason of the abutment of the spring 23 atits opposite ends against the pistons 26 and ,27, the engagement of so cylinder tending to force the point rail 10 against the rail 11, it bein noted that in this position of the parts t e abutment 37 and the seating surface 35 of the piston 27 are in spaced relation, the spring 23 being under compression in this set position of the switch.

The movement of a train from the switch track to the main track and thus passing through the switch, pulls the cylinder 20 in a direction toward the track :thus placing the spring means in this cylinder under still greater tension and eventually resulting in the automatic returning of the switch to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Assuming that it is desired that the switch be set in the position opposite that shown in Fig. 1, namely, in a position in which its point 12 is 'yieldingly pressed against the side of the rail 8 and the movement of the switchpoints out of such set position being against the resistance of .the spring mechanism of the switch, the operator by operating the switch throwing mechanism bodily moves the switch structure to a position in which the piston 26engages the radial ribs 39 at the opposite end of the cylinder, the abutment 37 engages the stop surface'35 and the abutment 36. is spaced from the stop surface 34. of the piston 26 in which position of the parts the spring 23 is under compression. The tension of the spring means is thus in a condition yield- The abutments 36 and 37 are each formed of a pair of substantially semi-circular ring sectlons 40 positioned in an annular groove 41 in the rod 19, and a ring 42 surrounding the rod 19 and the sections 40 as shown in Fig. 4 holds the latter in place, the ring 42 containing an inwardly extending flange 43 limiting outward movement of the ring 42 on the rod 19, and preferably having driving fit with the ring sections 40.

The mechanism shown also comprises means for effecting relatively slow return movement of the ,switch points under the action of the spring means when moved out of either of its two set positions, to prevent, in the passing of the wheels tl'irough the switch,slapping of the points against the main rails and the wheels and the minimizing of wear of the switch, the particular illustrated construction of these means comprising the pistons 26 and 27 which are aper-.

, sented at 45. The apertures in the pistons are closed by valves 46 and 47 respectively,

each in the form of a disk surrounding, and

slidable along extensions48 and 49 on these pistons and backed by coil springs 50 confined between these valves and abutments 51 on these extensions, these valves being positioned at the sides of the pistons opposite those at which the spring 23 extends, each valve 46 and 47 containing a relatively small opening 52 for effecting very slow initial return movement of the switch points as hereinafter described.

The retarding means now being described are in the nature of a double-acting dash-pot mechanism, the cylinder 20 being preferably filled with a liquid as for example, and preferably, oil, and the cylinder 20 containing grooves 53 located in, and extending lengthwise along, the inner surface thereof adjacent its opposite ends, these grooves being of larger cross sectional area than the openings in the valves 46 and 47 and of such length that in the extreme positions to which the cylinder 20' is moved by a train passing through the switch, when the latter is .in either of its set positions, the pistons extend inwardly beyond the inner ends of the grooves 53.

Assuming the switch mechanism as set in the position shown in Fig. 1, the retarding means referred to are not effective in the shifting of the point rails by a train passing through the switch inasmuch as the valve 46, automatically opens by the pressure of the liquid against it and permits of relatively free flow of the liquid through the piston 26. W hen the cylinder 20 reaches the end of its movement the valve 46 automatically closes and as the piston 26, in this position of the cylinder, extends inwardly of the inner end of the groove 53 cooperating therewith, the displacement of the fluid by the return movement of the cylinder, under the action of the spring 23, is initially through the relatively small opening 52 in the valve 46 produc-ing relatively slow initial return of the switch points toward setposition. As soon as the cylinder moves to a position in which the groove 53 communicates with the interior of the cylinder at opposite faces of the piston 26 the movement of the cylinder, under the action of the spring .23 is accelerated due to the by-passing of the fluid througlrthe groove 53.

Assuming that the switch has been set in the position opposite that shown in Fi 1, the retarding means are inoperative to resist shifting of the switch points by a train passing through the switch, due to the fact that the valve 47 automatically opens. The

return movement of the cylinder under the action of the spring is, however, retarded as described of the retarding of the move ment of the cylinder, when displaced by a train passing through the switch when set as shown in Fig. 1.

By providing the retarding means as shown, the movement of the switch by the engagement therewith of the succeeding wheels of the train in passing through the switch, when the switch is in either of its set positions, is very slight, with the manifest advantages, and when the train has cleared the switch the latter, after its delayed initial movement, moves comparatively rapidly to set position.

The mechanism described also comprises a chamber 54 in communication at 55 with the interior of the'cylinder 20 the purpose of which is to ensure maintenance of the cylinder 20 completelyfilled with oil at all times, the oil charged into the apparatus only partially filling the chamber 54 to provide a space into and out of which the oil in the operation of the mechanism may flow.

In the particular construction shown the cylinder 20 comprises a body section containing the space in which the spring means are located and the chamber 54, this body section being thus provided by coring the chamber- ,forming passages therein which extend continuously from end to end of the body section.

The cylinder 20 also comprises end-forming sections20 and 20* so shaped, as shown, that when assembled with the body section of the cylinder they form the ends of the chambers of the cylinder rendering them fluid tight, these ends being secured to the body section in any desirable way, as for example by screws passing through the end ing of sufficient volume to receive all of the the plug 57 which contains the passage opening into a cross passage 55 in the plug, the inner end of the plug preferably extending into an opening 59 in the bottom wall of the passage 54. and in line with the opening 56.

To ensure against the complete filling of the chamber 54 with oil, the wall represented at 58 and surrounding the opening 56 is formed to depend below the top of the chamber 54, as shown, this Well being preferably formed by casting a depending rib as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 transversely across the upper portion of the chamber 54 and through which the opening 56 extends. By providing thedepending wall about the opening 56, the oil will not rise in the chamber 54 above the level of the undcrsurface of this wall thereby ensuring a space, filled with air, between the upper level of the oil and the top of the chamber 54, this space beoil displaced into the chamber 54 in the operation of the mechanism.

' It will be noted that the switch mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention permits the throwing of the switch, by the operator into and out of either of the two set positions without opposition from the retarding means, which latter are caused to operate only in the return movement of the switch points, under the action of the spring device to either of the two set positions.

lVhile I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention I do not wish to beundcrstood as intending tov limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from thes irit of my invention.

IV iat I claim as'new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a spring switch, the combination of 1 its switch points, a cylinder member and a rod member extending into said cylinder member, said members being relatively movable in a direction lengthwise of said cylinder member, one of said members being operatively connected with said switch points to *move therewith and the other thereof being relatively stationary, spaced-apart abutments on said rod member, stop-forming members slidablc on said rod member and co-acting with the ends of said cylinder and with said abutments, and a coil spring in said cylinder I member engaging at its opposite ends with said stop-forming members, those surfaces of said stop members which engage said abutments being inset from the ends of said cylinder member relative to those surfaces of said stop-forming members which engage said spring.

2. In a spring switch, the combination of its switch points, a cylinder member and a rod member extending into said cylinder member, said members being relatively movable in a direction lengthwise of said cylinder member, one of said members being operatively connected with said switch points to move therewith and the other thereof being relatively stationary, spaced apart abutments on said rod member, stop-forming cesses in which said rod member extends the inner walls of which are inset from; the ends of said cylinder member relative to those surfaces of said stop members which engage said spring form the surfaces at which said stop-forming members engage with said abutmcnts.

3. In combination with a track having switch-points, of switch-throwing mechanism located to one side of said track, means located between said track and'said switchthrowing mechanism for yieldingly resisting movement of said points comprising a cylinder member, a second member in said cylinder member, said members being relatively movable lengthwise thereof, one of said members being operatively associated with said switch points and the other thereof connected with said switch-throwing mechanism and spring means in said cylinder member coacting with the said cylinder member and with said second member, and means comprising said 0 'linder member and said second member or retarding the return movement of said switch points under the action of said spring means.

4. In combination with a track having switch points, of switch-throwing mechanism located to one side of said track, and means located between said track and said switchthrowing mechanism for yieldin'gly resisting movement of said points away from either of their set positions and retarding the return movement of said switch points tov either of their set positions comprising a cylinder member, a rod member extending into said cylinder member, pistons on said rod member and a spring in said cylinder member cooperating with said pistons, said members being relatively movable lengthwise thereof and one of said members being movable with said switch points and the other thereof operatively connected with said switch-throwing mechanism.

5. In combination with a track having switc'l'rpoints, of switch-throwing mechanism located to one side of said track and having an element which, in the movement of said mechanism, moves toward and away from said track, means located between said track and said switch-throwing mechanism for yieldingly resisting movement of said points comprising a cylinder member, a

second member in said cylinder member, said members being relatively movable lengthwise thereof, one of said members being movable with said switch points and the other with said element of said switchthrowing mechanism, and springmeans in said cylinder member coacting with the latter and with said second member, and means comprising said cylinder member and said secend-named member for retarding the return movement of said switch points under the action of said spring means.

6. In combination with a track having switch points, of switch-throwing mechanism located to one side of said track and having. an element which, in the movement of said mechanism, moves toward and away from said track, means located between said track and said switch-throwing mechanism for yieldingly resisting movement of said points comprising a cylinder member, a second member in said cylinder member, said members being relatively movable lengthwise thereof, one ofsaid members being movable with said switch points and both of said members being movable with said element of said switch-throwing mechanism, and spring means in saidcylinder member -coactin mem er, and means comprising said cylinder member and said second-named member for retarding the return movement of saidv switch points under the action of said spring means.

7 In combination with a track having switch points, of switch-throwing mechanism located toone side of said track and having an element which, in the movement of said mechanism, moves toward and away from said track, and means located between said-track and said switch-throwing mecha-r nism for yieldingly resisting movement of with the latter and with said second I said points away from either of their set positions and retarding the return movement of sald switch points to either of their set positions comprising a cylinder member, a

rod member extending into said .cylinder' member, pistons on said rod member and a spring in saidcylinder member cooperating wlth said pistons, said members belng relatively movable lengthwise thereof and one of said members being movable with said switch points and the other thereof operatively connected with said element of said switchthrowing mechanism.

OSCAR w. ANDERSEN. 

